Posted on 01/30/2005 7:07:08 PM PST by AncientAirs
Incompatible With Christian Religion, Says Historian
MADRID, Spain, JAN. 30, 2005 (Zenit.org).- To understand what is happening in Europe, the phenomenon of Masonry must be taken into account, says Protestant historian César Vidal.
The director of the program "La Linterna" of the Spanish bishops' COPE radio network, Vidal has just written a book, "Los Masones: La Historia de la Sociedad Secreta Más Poderosa" (The Freemasons: History of the Most Powerful Secret Society), published by Planeta.
Among other things, the book addresses the Masonic influence in the most important events of recent Spanish history, especially since the election last March of the Spanish Socialist Labor Party (PSOE).
Vidal says that "the secularist current promoted by the government headed by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero shares more than enough Masonry's rank anti-clericalism."
The author explains that the Freemasons have an enormous role in the European Union and, by way of example, says that "the project of the European Constitution has been driven by a Freemason," Valéry Giscard D'Estaing, "who has excluded mention of the continent's Christian roots and, in addition, has insisted on the inclusion of an article that subjects the churches of the different nations but frees 'philosophical organizations' from that obligation."
Vidal has doctorates in history, philosophy and theology, and a law degree.
Q: Which outstanding personalities in Spain were and are Masons, a fact known by very few people?
Vidal: The list would be too long and some, only some, are mentioned in my book "The Freemasons." Suffice it to say by way of illustration that the Grand Master of the great Spanish east is Dr. Josep Corominas, PSOE deputy; that the special five-member commission that established Felipe González as the PSOE's secretary-general has three Masons among its members -- one of them the future president of the Senate -- and that Rodríguez Zapatero's grandfather was a Freemason.
Q: Can it be said that Masonry is behind the secularist current that is being witnessed in Spain?
Vidal: What can be said without danger of exaggeration is that the secularist current promoted by the government that José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero heads shares, more than enough, Masonry's rank anti-clericalism.
Q: What role does it have and might have in the European Union?
Vidal: Enormous if one takes into account that the project of the European Constitution has been promoted by a Freemason who has excluded mention of the continent's Christian roots and, in addition, has insisted on the inclusion of an article that subjects the Churches to the different nations but frees "philosophical organizations" from that obligation.
Q: In what way, over the last century, has Masonry been present in the history of Spain?
Vidal: Repeatedly and lamentably. A very important role must be attributed to Masonry in the pro-independence movements of Cuba and the Philippines, in anti-clerical and secularist campaigns, in the erosion of the parliamentary monarchy of the Restoration, going so far as to take recourse to terrorism, in the proclamation of the Second Republic and, very especially, in the redaction of a Republican Constitution which created a social break that led to the Civil War.
Q: Can you tell us about concrete events that prove its struggle against Catholicism?
Vidal: That is the history of Masonry since the 18th century, but suffice it to recall, by way of example, that Rodolfo Llopis, Freemason and Socialist, became secretary-general of the PSOE [and] promoted the anti-Christian educational legislation of the Second Republic; or scandals such as that of the Banca Ambrosiana which were linked directly to the Masons' action.
Q: What were Masonry's origins?
Vidal: The real origins of Masonry date back to the end of the 17th and early 18th centuries, when groups of individuals attracted by occult gnosis founded meeting places in which, supposedly, it was transmitted.
Of course, they talk about origins that refer to pagan religions, to gnosis, to a nonexistent personality of Solomon's time and also to the druids.
Q: What are its most characteristic features, objectives and present structure? Is it a religion?
Vidal: Though Freemasons deny it, the truth is that the Masonic cosmo-vision is not one proper to a philanthropic society as they often say, but that of a religion. That circumstance explains, precisely, the repeated condemnations of the Holy See and of the other Christian confessions, which consider membership in Masonry incompatible with Christianity.
Masonry might be described as a secret society, with an initiative structure, a gnostic cosmo-vision, and an existential manifestation which makes it easy for its members to help one another when it comes to occupying important posts in society.
Q: What percentage of Freemasons are there at present?
Vidal: Without a doubt, very small. In France it is said that they are not more than 0.6% of the population. However, that has not prevented their controlling the Socialist International or their spreading in the Right itself, through personalities such as Giscard D'Estaing.
Q: In what vital points of our society -- especially in economic, political and intellectual circles and the media -- are Freemasons present?
Vidal: There are sectors that have always been of interest to Freemasons. Needless to say, politics where they control the Socialist International and have entered powerfully in parties of the Right. No less is their weight in the world of communications and, very especially, their interest in education, justice and the armed forces.
In France, for example, the "affaire des fiches" revealed to what extent Masonic officers were promoted and Catholics, on the contrary, blocked from promotion. ZE05013020
Some references to the opponents of Freemasonry whom you referenced in your article.
http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/gmd1999/threat.html
Good post.
It seems that the Masons in the US are very different from the Masons on the main continent of Europe, the so-called Oriental Lodge which broke with the Anglo Lodges a long time ago.
The Catholic church does paint with a broad brush here when it damns the Anglo lodges for the misdeeds of the Oriental Lodge, but as a loyal Catholic, I will obey the Magisteriums ruling.
However, in Anglo culture, Freemasons have always been defenders of liberty, democracy and charity.
We who love Christ should also love Truth and Justice and not be willing to slander a good organization based on similarities in name and rumors even if published in print.
Washington, Madison and many others among our best Presidents have been Freemasons.
If they are the measure of that organization, then may we all be so lucky as to be led by them till our Lord Jesus Christ Himself returns.
Thanks for the ping, saradippity.
Freemasonry is not a religion in and of itself, but does require that you believe in a Supreme Being (God, for those of you in Rio Linda).
Freemasonry is incompatible with the current European mentality, which has become rabidly secularist.
Finally, our country (the United States of America, for those of you in Rio Linda) was founded by Masons, and we seem to have turned out, as a nation, quite well, thank you.
Now don't make me come down here again. ;)
Another good listing of anti-masonic charges and more than adequate rebuttals.
http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/anti-masonry_faq.html
Educated Monday through Friday at a private catholic school. Sunday teaching Sunday school at my Church of England place of worship.
Saturdays were something else.......!!
My late husband was a mason - a life member of his lodge. I saw nothing but good works in my - obviously secondhand - experience with the masons.
Happy for you, didn't work for us. I always looked up to the men in the lodge, I guess one or two bad apples doesn't mean the whole bunch is bad.
Don't worry, LB -- we're all confused when we first hear about gnostic cosmo-vision. Once you're enframbed to 32nd-Order Vreemel, though, it'll all seem as natural as breathing. For now, just relax and perform your mission as ordered.
Hah! That's because you haven't got gnostic cosmo-vision.
(It's a little-known fact that Ephraim Zimbalist, Jr. lobbied long but unsuccessfully to have his show introduced as "The FBI ... In Gnostic Cosmo-Vision." The wiley mason-controlled network execs cleverly substituted the word "Color.")
Sssshhhh! Quiet! Remember what they said at the Illuminati Meeting in Gstaad last autumn about not being too conspicuous. ;)
Oh! Dang! Right! I'll go right outside and repaint my tiny scooter a muted beige color.
Colosis, you post that as if it were a direct quote of Servant of the 9 who never made such a statement. In fact, that phrase doesn't appear in the whole thread. You wouldn't be tryin' to put words in somebody's mouth, are ya?
And Masons are not anti-Christian at all and unlike the Catholics and some fringe Protestant sects,Masons NEVER talk against Christians.Most Masons ARE Christians.
As they say in Espanol..."CaCa del Toro!"
Have another jewel, dipwad. Heck..have a whole bag of them! See if you can get enough to buy your way into Heaven.
Ha! The corrupt Roman Catholic Church is responsible for the creation of the FreeMasons! Read "Born in Blood" by J. J. Robinson.
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